Hey all. Sorry it's been so long, I had my GCSE exams ect and they took up so much of my free time. I'll try to get them up faster now that it's almost summer (only two more exams to go!), so from thursday onwards the only excuse is that I'll be sleeping.
Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter I would have never let Sirius, Remus, Tonk or Fred die =(
this is dedicated to skypirate, my extremely helpful beta. Enjoy.
As Juliet walked up the front steps and into the castle she wondered how Hogwarts had stayed almost exactly the same since she had first set foot there: the smooth stone walls, the numerous turrets and towers, the only difference being that a lot more of it was now held up by magic.
Through the chatter of the students Juliet's over sensitive ears picked out her name being spoken. She pushed her way through the crush of bodies, to find Minerva McGonagall stood with Harry and Hermione.
"Juliet Dumbledore!" McGonagall called over the heads of the students, not noticing that the girl in question had already approached her.
"No need to shout Professor, I'm right here." Minerva jumped slightly, a hand at her chest to calm her heart.
"Ah yes, Juliet I would like you to meet Hermione Granger and you no doubt know of Mr Potter. They're both 3rd year Gryffindors." Juliet smiled at her earlier acquaintances. "If you would like to follow me, I'll take you to get sorted." Minerva led the three away from the hustle and bustle of the great hall, into her own office.
A high-backed chair made of a deep red-brown wood stood behind the desk made of similar wood - Juliet suspected mahogany. Everything was as straight, neat and orderly as it had been the last time Juliet had entered. Minerva settled herself in her desk chair, making herself comfortable before speaking, "Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you two were taken ill on the train." She looked searchingly across the desk at the dark-haired boy, when her gaze switched to Juliet she met the Professor's gaze levelly.
Harry opened his mouth to reply but before he could utter a syllable there was a soft knock on the door. Poppy Pomfrey entered, frowning as she saw Harry but her eyes widened as she took in Juliet's profile. The vampyre smirked before inclining her head to the school matron. Her smirk widened as she saw Harry's face redden and he opened his mouth once again to speak.
"I'm fine. I don't need anything…"
"Oh, it's you is it? I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again." Juliet had to stifle a laugh; she had heard Pomfrey use such a tone many a time for James and Sirius' benefit. Harry obviously took after his father in more ways than looks.
"It was a Dementor, Poppy. Hence why Miss Dumbledore is present." Minerva exchanged a dark look with the healer, who tutted.
"Setting Dementors around a school, they wont be the last ones to collapse. Yes, he's clammy. The effect they have on people who are already delicate…"
"I'll have you know that 1. I didn't collapse and 2. I am nowhere near delicate." Juliet cut across heatedly.
"Yes dear, that's why you're shaking." Pomfrey frowned at her with disapproval. Juliet looked down at her hands and sure enough they were shaking from her encounter, she glared at them.
"He needs some chocolate at the very least." Pomfrey was now peering into Harry's eyes.
"I've already had some," Harry said quickly, "Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us."
"Did he now?" Pomfrey replied approvingly, "So we've finally got a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies." Juliet rolled her eyes.
"Well he is the expert on dark creatures and Vampire and Werewolf bites. Not to mention he knows how to calm down an extremely scary and powerful fully-fledged vampyre." McGonagall threw her a warning look.
"Are you sure you feel alright, Potter?" She said sharply.
"Yes." Harry stated exasperatedly.
"Can you and Miss Granger kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Dumbledore." The two third years stepped outside. As soon as the door had slammed shut Madame Pomfrey groped in her robe pocket, taking out a small glass phial.
"Do you at least have anything to drink with it?" Juliet sighed, at their annoyed expressions she continued, "Thought not." She grabbed the phial of blood, yanking the stopper out before chugging the whole thing in one.
"Good, now for your sorting." McGonagall produced the sorting hat out of thin air; the sorting in the great hall must have just finished, "If you would sit." Juliet lowered herself into one of the matching chairs in front of the deputy headmistress' desk and Minerva placed the old had on her head. The small, somewhat familiar voice whispered in her ear.
'Back again Miss Dumbledore? My you've changed… more darkness…'
"Of course there is, I have lost quite a few people." Juliet answered scathingly.
'No no this is different, you have revenge in mind and revenge is a dangerous companion Juliet. I must warn you against playing with fire.'
"Fire is easily controlled. Could we possibly get back to the matter in hand? My sorting?" she commented tersely.
'I was just getting to that.' The hat sounded particularly miffed with Juliet, a fact that made her smile. 'I would say Slytherin, the current situation in hand but your Gryffindor side shines through too much.' She laughed at the bitter tone; the hat obviously didn't like her at the moment. After a short pause the hat spoke out loud and clear, "GRYFFINDOR."
-x-
The ceiling of the great hall had always awed Juliet, how it showed the weather outside yet no rain touched the students of Hogwarts. That night deep purple clouds swirled above, blocking the stars from view and rain poured down in buckets. The least said: it was an amazingly terrifying sight.
Albus was just standing up for his speech when Juliet accompanied by Harry, Hermione and McGonagall strode proudly through the large oak doors. He smiled down the long hall at Juliet; waiting to see which house she now belonged to. She spotted George and Fred at the Gryffindor table and quickly took a seat opposite them.
"Welcome!" Albus started, his arms held wide as if to encompass the whole hall, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all and as one is very serious I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast." Juliet caught Remus' eye up at the teacher's table and gave him a small smile and a wave. "As you will all be aware after the search of the Hogwarts express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." Juliet's expression darkened as her thoughts were turned to Sirius. His betrayal still stung and it was all she could do to no think of the loneliness that it had brought her for the past twelve years. For the majority of those years it had been a constant struggle to keep going.
The first year she had spent with Remus, but her depression made her all but useless. After that she had been constantly in the move, never staying in one place for more than six months, never putting down roots or creating friendships and never within two hundred miles of England.
Juliet sighed before returning her attention to the front of the great hall.
"On a happier note, I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. Firstly, Professor Lupin who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." The applause was scattered and polite, rather unenthusiastic. Severus, Juliet noted, was glaring daggers at Remus. She shook her head smiling slightly, their old enmity still strong and unyielding along with Severus' desire for the Defence position.
"As to our second new appointment, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at then end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid." Contrary to the previous applause this was tumultuous everywhere but at the Slytherin house table.
"I am afraid I must hold you all from our delicious feast just a moment longer." Albus continued when the applause had finally abated, "We have a new fifth year Gryffindor in our midst, her name is Juliet Dumbledore and I hope you will all treat her with the same courtesy as any other student." Whispers broke out throughout the hall, people craned their necks to try and catch a glimpse of this mysterious Dumbledore. "I think that is everything of importance, let the feast begin."
"So… you're related to Dumbledore?" A girl on Juliet's right turned to face her, she had long pin-straight black hair that reached her waist and if she stood Juliet guessed she would be barely over 5'.
"Is it really that obvious?" Juliet replied, her tone sarcastic and annoyed.
"Leave the poor girl alone Rach, she doesn't need you nosing into her business." A blonde berated the girl from her other side, "Ebony Miller." She noticed Juliet looking and stretched a hand across to shake, "And the nosey one's Rachel James, 5th years."
-x-
Juliet walked up to the dormitory with Ebony and Rachel. She eventually found out that they had both known each other since they could talk and were incredibly close. Their relationship reminded her of James and Sirius'; at that thought she had quickly erased it from her mind not wanting to have to explain why she suddenly looked incredibly angry. The two girls' personalities however, couldn't have been more different. Rachel was loud and outgoing, she talked at one speed and one speed only: extremely fast, not to mention loud. Ebony was more reserved, no less fun to be around and no less crazy, but generally quieter. She tended to think things through beforehand and Juliet could tell that she was the one to hold Rachel back from more of her crazy actions.
For the first time since the deaths of James, Lily and Peter Juliet found herself genuinely enjoying herself around these two girls who she hardly knew.
After many twists, turns and a stubborn staircase they finally reached the entrance to Gryffindor tower. The fat lady smiled as they approached.
"Juliet, wonderful to see you. Password?"
"Uhh…" Rachel frowned trying to remember, "Fairy Lights?" Ebony rolled her eyes at her friend.
"Fortuna Major."
That night two faces plagued Juliet's dreams. Maybe it was being back where she first met and knew them, as she had noted that summer there were many memories of her old friends all over the castle. Sirius was the main figure of this dreams, he would just stand there grinning his cocky smile or else approach her, but his eyes were always filled with regret. His grey orbs weren't lifeless or cold but filled with pain and uncertainty. The second man was Peter Pettigrew, but it was Peter who looked malicious. His watery blue eyes showed no sadness, the only emotion being hunger. Hunger for what Juliet didn't know.
-x-
The next day started off well enough; Transfiguration was a subject that Juliet had always shown an aptitude for. That double period was slightly boring but never the less necessary to remind her of the basics. After break the Gryffindors had Potions with Ravenclaw, a lesson that had made her fellow fifth years groan in annoyance. Apparently Severus disliked any students that were not in Slytherin and hated Gryffindors with a passion.
Juliet sighed in relief as she entered the cool semi-darkness of the dungeons with Rachel and Ebony. Only now it was gone did she notice the dull ache in her head from being in the ferocious sunshine, it was like a heavy weight had been lifted from her.
The Potions classroom was dark, the only light was cast from the sparse amount of candles scattered around the room. Juliet was used to the room being brightly lit and occupied by the large and jolly Professor Slughorn. But Severus was far from jolly; even in his school days it was rare that he smiled. Rachel and Ebony settled in two seats behind the Weasley twins, leaving the space next to them for Juliet.
Time often seems to flow in strange stops and starts, sometimes fast but sometimes excruciatingly slow. Juliet often found time speeding up when she was dreading a certain event. That hour and a half long potions lesson passed by in what felt like minutes and all to soon the Gryffindors were heading out of the dungeons and up to their Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Juliet had spent the best part of ten years avoiding Remus, yet now here she was willingly walking to a lesson taught solely by the werewolf.
As she entered, preceded by Fred and George, she barely acknowledged Remus stood at the front of the room. That was until he began to talk, then she had to look at him.
"Class, today we will be revising the topic of Boggarts. I understand that your teaching of this subject has been purely theoretical thus far." The class murmured in agreement, "so I managed to convince the headmaster to let me keep one for my students to practise on." The classroom buzzed with excitable chatter. Remus waited for it to die down before continuing, "Katie I was hoping you could help me." Katie Bell stepped forward, up to a wooden chest that Juliet realised only now was shaking. "I want you all to think of what scares you the most." Many people closed their eyes, but Juliet looked around the room thinking.
'What does scare me? Albus dying? Aberforth? Remus? Finding real proof that Sirius is guilty?' For Juliet couldn't completely and truly believe that Sirius would betray them all.
"You should have had enough time. Now Katie, when I open this chest and the Boggart emerges as your fear I want you to picture it looking comical. Then with that picture firmly in your mind say the incantation 'Riddikulus'" Katie nodded as Remus move over to the chest. Placing his hands on the lid, he continued, "On the count of three I will open it. 1…2…3!" he threw the lid open and a mummy, wrapped in bloodstained bandages, rose from the wooden container. Katie stood frozen for a few seconds before raising her wand, "Riddikulus!" The mummy tripped, the bloody bandages coming loose.
"Good!" Remus shouted, "Rachel!" Rachel stepped forward.
When it came to Juliet's turn she was still unsure. The last time she'd had to face a Boggart a bloody Tom Riddle had stepped from the shadows, but that was over thirty years ago.
"Juliet!" Remus called. She squared her shoulders as she stepped forward and there was a loud crack.
A small auburn haired girl was stood in front of her, no older than twelve. Her sister, Arianna Dumbledore was deathly pale and drenched in her own blood. Arianna opened her mouth and said in her sweet voice, "It's all your fault Juliet. You could have stopped them. You killed me, it's all your fault!"
Juliet took a deep shuddering breath, "Riddikulus!" There was another loud crack, but instead of something comical happening the small girl transformed into a twenty year old Sirius. His horrible sneering smile reminded her of his cousin Bellatrix. He held a bloody knife in his right hand, above the dead bodies of Lily and James.
Remus suddenly threw himself in front of her, the boggart changing instantly into a silvery moon hanging in the air.
"Riddikulus." He said almost lazily, "That's it for today class, 10 points to everyone who faced it and a three foot essay on Boggarts. Class dismissed."
hope you liked it. Please feel free to review with any ideas or just to let me know what you think of it, especially her two boggarts.
-MissChristinaBlack x
